Peterborough women aged 20 to 24 having more abortions

More women are having abortions in Peterborough, with the biggest rise coming among those aged 20 to 24, new figures show.

With a record number of procedures performed across England and Wales last year, pro-choice charities have called for more investment to provide better access to contraceptive services and tackle long wait times.

In 2019, 822 abortions were carried out in Peterborough, according to Department of Health and Social Care figures.

This was a rise of 10 per cent on the number recorded in 2012, the first year with comparable local figures available.

There were 41 procedures per 1,000 women aged 20 to 24 last year, compared to just 34 in 2012.

The rate of increase for women in this category was the biggest across all age groups in Peterborough.

The British Pregnancy Advice Service said there were complex reasons behind the overall increase in abortions, including financial instability and uncertainty about the future.

Clare Murphy, the charity’s director of external affairs, said: “Contraception alone will never prevent the need for abortion, but there is more we can do to ensure better access to high quality services – particularly when women have recently had a baby.

“These figures of course pre-date the current coronavirus pandemic, and it’s already clear that the current uncertainty about the future is impacting upon women’s decision making.

“High quality contraception, abortion and maternity services are essential components of women’s healthcare and we must ensure those high standards are upheld as we emerge from the pandemic.”

Of the women in Peterborough aged over 25 who had an abortion last year, 39 per cent had undergone at least one procedure previously.

Jonathan Lord, medical director at reproductive health charity Marie Stopes, said the contraceptive needs of women in their 20s, 30s and 40s have been neglected in the last few decades.

He added: “The main issue is the lack of investment in contraceptive services, which has led to poor access and unacceptable waits, particularly for the most effective long acting methods, such as the implant and coil."

While those in their 30s are having more abortions, fewer under-18s across England are undergoing the procedure.

In 2012, the rate was 13 per 1,000 women aged under 18 – but that fell to just eight last year.

Peterborough saw a smaller drop, with the rate falling from 12 to nine over this period.

But Antonia Tully, director of campaigns at the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said the record-high number of abortions across England was “appalling”, and showed abortion was becoming more and more normalised.